The Family

Journaling has always been hard for me to do, but through this project I am gaining a great appreciation for my ancestors and the stories that have been preserved for us, to learn about them and from them. My great-grandfather William Moroni Daines (pictured seated on the far right in the family picture), in 1928 wrote his memories of his parents. He had misgivings because of the length of time that had elapsed, the lack of documentation and his own weaknesses but his recorded knowledge gives us a glimpse into the life of our early pioneer heritage and the first family members to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Robert Daines was born in St. Cross, Suffolk, England on 3 Aug 1829, son of James Sillett and Lydia Daines. Although he was the father of her child, Lydia did not marry James, but instead married Nathaniel Wilkinson in 1831. Nathaniel was a farm hand and labored hard to provide for his family. It was shared in William Moroni Daines journal (Robert' son), that his step-father was very unkind to Robert because he was jealous of the love that Lydia showed her son. Later in life, Nathaniel was able to acknowledged his jealously and asked Robert for his forgiveness, which was readily granted.

Out of need to meet the needs of the growing family, Robert at age 6 to 8 years old was put to work by his step-father’s employers herding the cows and sheep away from their crops to keep them from being trampled. This experience began his training to become dependable and hard-working. As a young man he hired out to farmers in the area for 5 pounds, equal to $25 a year, plus board and lodging. He learned well the methods of farming in Suffolk, which was one of the very rich farming districts of England. He was very particular to do well in any undertaking, this was exemplified by his ability to furrow entirely straight furrows with a hand plow, earning him the praise of both employers and friends. Because of his dependability and character his employers would leave him temporarily in charge when they were absent.

Even though he demonstrated hard-work and leadership there was no time for formal education, coupled with, “The ministers of the Protestant churches and the people generally of father’s (Robert) acquaintances referred to and quoted the scripture which says, ‘That the sins of the fathers would be visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generation,’ but would quote no further. Some would apply these words to him.” Robert struggled with who he knew he was and breaking out of where the world had placed him. At age 19, hoping to improve his lot, he sought to enlist with the Queen’s Guard, but he was rejected because he was a quarter of an inch short of the six foot requirement. The fact that with all his discouragements, his refusal to join a lesser branch of the army shows his ambitions and ideals to be of a high order. At the time he was very disappointed but later in his life he acknowledged the over-ruling hand of providence in his behalf that kept him from such a different life as the army would have provided.

On the 11^th of October 1851, Robert married his first wife Mary Ann Barker, daughter of Stephen Barker and Charlotta Curtis, born 19 Feb 1833, in Suffolk, England. She was a beautiful, dark complexioned, black-haired girl, well respected by all and a favorite among young people.

                                          

During the summer and fall of 1851, Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Say Saints labored for the first time in the neighborhood, and they were among the first to accept their message. When the Elders taught the doctrine of repentance and forgiveness of sin and quoted the scripture, ‘That the sins of the fathers would be visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generation,’ but then finished the verse, ‘of them that hate me, and showing mercy to thousands who keep my commandments.’ It gave him more hope and courage than he had ever had before and led him to further investigation and ultimate acceptance. Robert and Mary Ann were baptized on 17 Dec 1851, by Elder William Smith. Many in the area joined the church, including the Seamons’ family who would come to play a significant role in Robert’s life in just a few years.

Mary Ann bore four children:

·         George born 13 January 1852, died 2 June 1852, age 5 months.

·         Eliza born 2 July 1853, died 27 February 1854, age 7 months.

·         George born 5 November 1854, died 9 September 1855, age 10 months.

·         Ellen born 5 November 1856, died 6 February 1857, age 3 months. She was born in New Jersey after they had immigrated to America.

It was a great trial in his life to lose his children, as well as the persecution of family and friends for him and Mary Ann joining the church. He therefore went to the Elders for comfort and consolation for both himself and his loved companion. Elder Smith gave him a blessing and in the blessing he was promised that if he would be faithful in his duties, especially in the payment of his tithing that the Lord would open up his way in due time to emigrate to Zion and that he would live to have a numerous posterity of sons and daughters to bear his name. While this seemed almost impossible of fulfillment, the current conditions seeming so much against it. They took courage, continued faithful and worked always with that object in view.

It wasn’t until my early adulthood that I had learned the origin of my last name being Daines and that had Lydia married James Sillett that my name would have been different. Even though, illegitimate children were not uncommon for the time in England, it was obvious in my great-grandfathers telling of the story that Robert was judged by the condition of his birth. Learning of Robert and his trials gives me great hope and courage for my life because I know how his ends and the blessing of Elder Smith does come to pass. We are all given difficulties to overcome, but it is what we become as a result that is our reward.